Top 5 Most Popular FAQs

The National Environment Agency (NEA) imposes maximum permissible noise levels for different time periods, which get significantly more stringent later into the day and for sites located near hospitals, schools and residential premises.

In addition, construction companies are required to install noise monitoring meters at the nearest affected premises to continuously monitor and record their noise levels. Between 7pm to 10pm, the maximum 1-hour continuous noise level from construction sites is 65 dBA (measured from the nearest affected residential building), which further drops down to 55 dBA from 10pm to 7am – an approximate four-fold reduction in perceived loudness from what is allowed in the day. This noise level is comparable to normal conversation levels. NEA will not hesitate to take enforcement action against contractors who generate noise levels exceeding the permissible limits.

Construction sites which started work on or after 1 Sep 2011 are also prohibited from carrying out work from:

(a) 10.00 pm on Sat till 7.00 am on the following Mon; and (b) 10.00 pm on the eve of public holiday till 7.00 am on the day after the public holiday.

Other than the above restriction, the contractor is allowed to carry out works continuously. However the contractor is required to ensure the noise levels generated do not exceed NEA’s stringent noise limits.

Devotees who wish to burn incense as part of their religious observance should do so with consideration for others. For example, they should burn paper offerings using enclosed containers or containers provided by the Town Councils at various locations within the estates and not damage public property by burning indiscriminately on pavements, common corridors, void decks and other common property. NEA is also working with various religious organisations to reach out to their members in this regard.

Since 1992, only batteries that meet prescribed limits of mercury content are allowed to be sold in Singapore. The used batteries are therefore safe for disposal, together with household waste, at the waste-to-energy incineration plants. The incineration plants are equipped with pollution control equipment to ensure that the emissions meet the standards prescribed in the regulations of the Environmental Protection and Management Act. Notwithstanding, the use of rechargeable batteries is encouraged to reduce the quantity of batteries thrown away.

The main sources of water pollution in Singapore are domestic wastewater, both sewage and sullage, and industrial effluent. There are some commercial farms in the suburban areas. In addition, solid wastes, if not properly managed and disposed of, will also cause water pollution.